Bob Corritore Blues Letter - RIP Earl Gaines, RIP Willie Mitchell, Rhythm Room All-Stars, Little Smokey Smothers, and more.

January 7, 2010

• RIP Earl Gaines August 19, 1935 Dec 31, 2009. The blues world mourns the loss of R&B vocalist Earl Gaines who died on New Year's Eve at a Nashville hospital.  He was 74. Gaines was a magnificent vocalist who was closely associated with the Nashville R&B scene. He first came into prominence as the lead vocalist of Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers with the hit "It's Love Baby" (AKA "24 Hours A Day"). He would later emerge as a solo artist with a number of hits including “The Best of Luck to You” in 1966 and “Hymn Number 5” in 1973. He recorded for numerous record labels including Starday, King, DeLuxe, Excello, Champion, Poncello, Hanna-Barbera, HBR, Athens, Sound Stage 7, Ace, Meltone, Appaloosa, Black Top, Ecko and Blue Fye. He was a featured artist on the 2005 Grammy-winning best historical album, Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945–1970. His loss comes on the heels of other recently deceased Nashville R&B greats such as Johnny Jones, and To read the story of his passing in the Tennessean click here
  
• RIP WilIie Mitchell, March 1, 1928 - January 5, 2010 The following obituary comes courtesy of the recording academy via Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Willie Mitchell. An accomplished trumpeter who led one of the region's premier bands of the '50s, he made the transition to recording star at Hi Records in the '60s. At Hi he became a vital part of the organization by engineering, producing, scouting talent and eventually running the label. A true renaissance man, Willie Mitchell created his own Memphis sound - a uniquely sophisticated brand of funk. He put together one of the world's greatest rhythm sections - Hi Rhythm – featuring Teenie Hodges on guitar, Charles Hodges on organ, Leroy Hodges on bass and drummer Howard Grimes. He made stars of Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, O.V. Wright and Syl Johnson, creating recordings still revered, covered and sampled to this day. In 1969 while on tour with his Willie Mitchell Band, he met a young singer from Michigan in Midland, Texas and brought him back to Memphis. Together, he and Al Green made history, creating an unparalleled body of work featuring arguably the greatest voice in soul backed by Mitchell's unique mix of gritty southern R&B and elegant arrangements. In 2007 he was recognized by the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy at The Recording Academy Honors. In 2008 he received an even larger honor from The Recording Academy at the 50th annual Grammy Awards - The Trustees Award. His impact on Memphis and music is immeasurable. There will probably never be another one like him.
  
• Rhythm Room All-Stars appear Friday & Saturday at the Rhythm Room. The Rhythm Room All-Stars feature Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey will appear this Friday and Saturday at their home base and namesake. Also on the bill will be Dave Riley, who will make a guest appearance each night. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Rd. Rack Shack BBQ will be available for purchase.
  
• Brian Fahey Cover Story to be released in Belgium's Back To The Roots Magazine. Rhythm Room All-Stars Drummer, Brian Fahey will appear on the cover of the next issue of Back To The Roots Magazine and will have a featured interview. Brian is a well credentialed drummer in both blues and rockabilly. He is best known for his many years with the Paladins but has also worked with William Clarke (he was William's last drummer), Smokey Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, and others. This issue will be out this week! For a look at the cover click here. Thank you to Back To The Roots editor Franky Bruneel!
  
• Elvin Bishop Releases Benefit CD to help Little Smokey Smothers. Elvin Bishop has released an album with his longtime friend and musical mentor, "Little Smokey" Smothers to help during a time of need. Smokey has had declining health over the last few years and recently has lost both his legs to diabetes. Elvin met Smokey in Chicago in 1960 while attending regular college at the University of Chicago and "blues college" on the south and west sides. Smokey would have a steady mostly local career in the Chicago blues scene, while Elvin would gain prominence, first with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and then as an artist in his own right. The CD is called "Chicago Blues Buddies" and is produced by blues kingpin Dick Shurman. It features both studio and live recordings as well as an interview with the blues buddies conducted at the Chicago Blues Festival. Elvin paid for this project and all revenues are going directly to Smokey. To read Linda Cain's article about this release in the Bluegrass Special click here.To purchase this CD click here.
  
• Year end recap additions. Here are a few items that I realized I did not mention in the 2009 recap. I failed to mention the October 24th show with the Rhythm Room All-Stars at the Rhythm Room when portrait artist / harmonica player Rusty Walker presented Big Pete Pearson and I with beautiful full size portraits. Click here to see some photos. I also failed to mention in the list of Rhythm Room shows a "Women of Boogie Woogie" night that we presented with Lisa Otey, Wendy DeWitt, Dona Oxford, and Sue Palmer.
  
• Vintage Ruth Brown on YouTube! Ruth Brown was an R & B fireball! She recorded a string of hits for Atlantic during the 1950s and remained active in music until she died of cancer a few years back. Check out her amazing gown, her radiant and rowdy personality, and her wonderful voice as she sings and charms her way through three songs performed during the mid 50's. To see Ruth performing "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean", click here , "Oh What A Dream"  click here, and "Teardrops From My Eyes", click here. Go Miss Rhythm!